HIT: To the sponsoring organizations of Wednesday night's candidates forum.

The program gave the public a chance to ask questions of county and city political candidates, and plenty of people turned out to hear what the contenders had to say. Kudos go out to the Auburn-Cayuga NAACP, Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency, IGNITE and Options of Independence for putting this together.

A replay of the forum will be broadcast at 5 p.m. Saturday on Adelphia channel 4. In addition, information about candidates can be found at the Web site of IGNITE, a young professionals group formed in conjunction with the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce, at www.ignite-cny.com.

HIT: To the Weedsport High School field hockey team, which nearly pulled off a major upset in Wednesday's Section III championship game.

The Warriors lost in overtime to undefeated Morrisville-Eaton.

The Weedsport girls are understandably disappointed, but they should also be proud of a terrific season and a courageous final match.

MISS: To the beleaguered high-speed ferry connecting Canada and Rochester.

This week the Rochester mayor conceded that the city will need to pour taxpayers dollars into the operation to sustain it, breaking a pledge not to do so when Rochester purchased the vessel from private operators in February.

The service has great potential to boost tourism well beyond Rochester - and that includes the Finger Lakes region. But if more people don't start riding, that potential will never be realized.

HIT: To the organizers of Thursday's Cayuga Area College Night.

Auburn High School and the Cayuga Counselors' Association brought representatives from roughly 80 schools to the program, which gives students and parents some terrific guidance as they begin the process of one of the most important decisions people make - what to do and where to go after graduation.